Senior Therapist - Emergency Services

Senior Therapist

Do you enjoy a fast-paced work environment? Do you have experience working with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis? Are you committed to ensuring that crisis response services meet the needs of clients and families? Are you solution focused and comfortable working both independently and as part of an exciting multidisciplinary team? Do you want to work in a place where you are truly valued doing meaningful work everyday alongside a group of likeminded colleagues. Do you have an active Clinical License in Virginia and a passion for providing mental health services in acute settings? If so, then you might be the next Emergency Services, Senior Therapist.

The City of Alexandria offers more than a place to work; we area dynamic, award winning, multicultural City with an ambitious blueprint to lead us into the next century. In City government, our MISSION defines what we do for our community, our VISION is where we are headed as an organization, and our VALUES guide our actions and decisions.

The Opportunity

This position qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus. As a member of the Emergency Services Team, you will be responsible for conducting crisis intervention and responding to psychiatric emergencies within the City through telephone, tele video and face-to-face contact. These responses may include interviewing and evaluating persons who are presenting in crisis, pre-admission screening; consulting with other care providers; evaluating for Civil Detention, voluntary hospitalization, or less restrictive alternatives. You will liaison with other community agencies and make appropriate referrals consistent with the evaluation. In addition, you must maintain clear and concise patient records. Clinicians benefit from a consistent schedule but should be available to support program coverage on alternate shifts, on occasion. Emergency Services clinicians must show comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment and Duty to Warn.

Examples of Duties:

• Interviews consumers who walk in to Mental Health Center and individuals who require intervention in the community;
• Determines appropriate disposition based on thorough psychiatric evaluation. Complete written assessments and make appropriate referrals;
• Assesses need for immediate face-to-face interview or referral during telephone conversations;
• Provides liaison/outreach to other community agencies;
• Provides continuity of care for CSB consumers when the CSB is closed (i.e. referrals to emergency room for medication, emergency assessments, and support via the telephone);
• Conducts pre-admission screening for voluntary/involuntary hospitalizations;
• Provides crisis stabilization utilizing phone and face to face contact;
• Determines appropriate response to all calls from the citizens and staff from other agencies;
• Provides clinical assessment and referral services;
• Determines appropriate disposition;
• Formulates diagnoses, assesses risk and mental status;
• Provides clinical intervention in emergency situations at any of the MR/MR/SA homes;
• Coordinates and testifies as representative of CSB in Civil Commitment Hearings;
• Coordinates outpatient treatment for client's committed to Mandatory Outpatient Treatment;
• Provides crisis intervention and emergency services;
• Prepares reports for court proceedings, represents the Department, and testifies as an expert witness on behalf of consumers;
• Provides emergency and crisis intervention services to consumers;
• Participates in staff development and training;
• Maintains clinical records in accordance with State, City, Departmental and Federal compliance requirements;
• Performs related work as required.

About the Department:

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Master's degree in human services; at least two years post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to clients having psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders; at least two years post-master's experience providing diagnostic evaluations, assessments, and crisis intervention. Licensed in Virginia as an LCSW, LPC, LSATP, or Clinical Psychologist OR is license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP), or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia license at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment. Senior Therapists in ES must complete all the requirements to obtain and maintain a certification as Pre-screeners as required by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services within six (6) months of appointment. ES clinicians must show comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment and Duty to Warn. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence.

Additional Requirements:

As essential personnel, ES Senior Therapists are required to maintain the operation of the program 24/7/365 including holidays and/or during city closures or other emergencies. The position requires shift work that includes overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

Current, active clinical license to practice as an LCSW, LPC, Clinical Psychologist, LSATP in Virginia. Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish is desirable but not required. At least two or more years of experience working with individuals experiencing psychiatric crises. At least one year of prior experience working in community settings or with individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database and Verification of education/certifications.

Schedule:

Monday through Thursday; 12pm - 8pm & Saturday; 12am - 8am

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.